Over the River

Thanksgiving morning started with Dad's Afghans slipping out of their leashes and running away. How many people can say the same thing about their Thanksgiving? Once they took pity on Dad and came back, we all went for our First Annual King Thanksgiving Fun Run. It was really a one-mile walk around the track at the school, followed by a ham breakfast, but Fun Run sounds better. As we circled the track, Dad told the kids about one of his chores as a boy. When a sheep died, Dad would tie its legs to a rope and pull it with a tractor down the hill to the gully behind where the school is, where he would throw it in the gully. I bet there are still sheep bones down there, in the neighbors' back yards. I'll have to remind the kids of this particular chore next time they complain about wiping off the kitchen counter.

Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's was a wonderful day of good food and family time. Scott searched the ads for all the Black Friday deals and I addressed my Christmas cards, as the kids played and worked on their new coloring books Grandma gave them. We managed to stay long enough to have leftovers: turkey sandwiches for dinner. It was a small crowd; just us, Michelle and Jake, Aunt Marie, Ricky and Grandma and Grandpa, but it was perfect.

Yesterday I was thankful for Ptolemy, because of who he is, but also because he is the culmination of all the decisions we have made. Some were good, some were bad, but despite our shortcomings, Ptolemy was given to us to complete our family. Every time I look at him I am grateful he is here to put a smile on the faces of his brother and sisters. I'm so thankful for each one of them.